No, I have not given up the blog for Lent. :) We have had a lot happening at SPOTH - the Shrove Tuesday dinner on Feb. 24 was a fun time of fellowship; about 60 people attended. The next day, Ash Wednesday, we began the historic journey through Lent to Easter. Easter is on April 12 this year, so we are about half way there. For me the most important part of Lent is the focus we have on the grace of God. We give things up or take things on so as to deepen our relationship with God. Lent is what we call a "penitential" time - meaning that especially during Lent we take the time to consider the ways that we distance ourselves from God by what do or what we choose not to do. "Sin" is defined as action or inaction on our part that damages our relationship with God. But as I said, the most important part of this Lenten time of self-examination is the fact of God's love for us that never waivers and is always reaching out to embrace us. During Lent, we make a special effort to focus on our spiritual lives and the ways that God calls us into communion and community as we prepare to celebrate Easter.
It is not too late to attend our Wednesday night program for Lent, which is about spiritual practices. We are considering different ways of praying and connecting with God. This weekend, on Saturday March 21, we are delighted that the Rev. Jonathan Bryan will lead a retreat at SPOTH. Jonathan wrote that cool and creative book about what his dog taught him about God, so you know that the retreat will be creative too. He is going to help us reflect upon the ways our life experiences enable us understand the incarnation, the crucifixion, and the resurrection - and conversely, how those events in Jesus' life help us understand and frame our experiences. Check back next week and I'll let you know how it went.
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